18. Will the scheme put people off volunteering if they have not had to undertake disclosure checks before?
The Scottish Government does not expect the PVG Scheme to deter volunteers. The new scheme will be quick and easy for people to use - a particular benefit being that it ends the need for multiple written disclosure checks so people will no longer need to spend time completing a written disclosure form for each post or activity.
The Scottish Government knows that the vast majority of people who work with vulnerable groups do so with their best interests at heart and pose no risk to the people they work with. However, history has proven that this is not always the case so all reasonable steps must be taken to stop the small number of people who would seek to do harm. Vetting and robust recruitment procedures are necessary if we are to be sure that the services and amenities that vulnerable groups use are not delivered by those who would do harm.